Hakeem to meet Sri Lankan PM on Muslims' security

[TamilNet, Monday, 18 August 2003, 01:03 GMT]Mr.Rauff Hakeem, leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and Minister in Sri Lanka’s United National Front government, said Sunday that he would meet the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, Monday, on the question of providing maximum security to Muslims in the eastern province especially in Muttur area.

"On my return to Colombo I will take some decisive steps to ensure security to Muslims and also we will exert maximum political pressure on
the government in this regard," said Mr. Hakeem, speaking to journalists after a conference held at the office of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission in Trincomalee Sunday afternoon, sources said.

Mr. Hakeem arrived in Trincomalee Sunday morning and held discussions with the monitors of the SLMM in Trincomalee at the SLMM office, which lasted for about three hours, regarding tension that prevails in Muttur town since the killing of two Muslim youths, who were said to be leading members of the SLMC, at the Chelvanayakapuram village in Trincomalee town a few days ago, sources said.

Several violent acts had taken place in Muttur since the killing of two Muslims by unidentified gunmen. Soon after the killing of Muslim youths, a Tamil youth, Adrian Sellan, was abducted in Muttur town and his whereabouts are still not yet known, police said.

In the meantime, two Muslims, a father and son who were abducted by unidentified men Saturday, had been released Sunday morning, police said.

Major General A.M. Zahir of the Sri Lanka Army, Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Upali Hewage and Sri Lanka Navy officials participated at the conference facilitated by the SLMM’s Trincomalee head Mr.Abdel Burkhan and two other monitors Ms. Boudil Israelsson and Ms. Maragreta Krook.

A group of Muttur Muslim representatives led by the President of the Muttur Masjid Shura Council, Mr. Kareem Moulavi, attended the conference.

Minister Hakeem told media persons that he had brought to the notice of the SLMM monitors the killings, abductions and torture of Muslims in Muttur. He accused the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam of being involved in the abductions, but the local LTTE leaders have denied any involvement in such actions.

The Minister further said two Muslims, after being abducted, had been released Sunday early morning but were subjected to severe beating and torture and they had to be warded at the Trincomalee hospital.

"I have asked the Police and the SLMM to take decisive action to stop the violence against Muslims. We have decided to exert maximum political pressure on the government in safeguarding the interest of Muslims," said Mr. Hakeem.

Later, Mr. Hakeem went to the Trincomalee general hospital and saw the injured Muslims in the Muttur violence, SLMC sources said.

Minister Hakeem speaking to SLMM head in Trincomalee Mr.Abdel Burkan

Minister Hakeem speaking to journalists at the SLMM office in Trincomalee